Cebu, Mandaue commemorate Rizal Day

REMEMBERING RIZAL. Public school teachers from selected schools in Mandaue City performance a play on Jose Rizal's life during a commemoration activity on the national hero's 123rd death anniversary in Mandaue City on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. (SunStar foto/Kate F. Denolang)
REMEMBERING RIZAL. Public school teachers from selected schools in Mandaue City performance a play on Jose Rizal's life during a commemoration activity on the national hero's 123rd death anniversary in Mandaue City on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. (SunStar foto/Kate F. Denolang)

THE city governments of Cebu and Mandaue held separate activities to commemorate the 123rd death anniversary of national hero Jose P. Rizal on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019.

In Cebu City, Mayor Edgardo Labella and fellow officials held a Rizal Day activity at the Plaza Sugbo near City Hall.

The Cebu City Government’s celebration of Rizal Day was initiated by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

Aside from Labella, Vice Mayor Michael Rama and City Councilors Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros and Jerry Guardo attended the celebration.

In his speech, Labella said that while the country is no longer controlled by colonizers, Rizal's spirit continues to live in each Cebuano.

He then recalled when he asked the Cebu City Council to hold a special session on Dec. 24, a day before Christmas, to declare a state of calamity in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City which was hit by a fire a few days before.

He said that the act of the Council to immediately heed his call for a special session is already an act of heroism which Rizal wanted for the Filipinos to do.

Labella also encouraged the public to live a life that Rizal wanted so his death will not be put in vain.

Some Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) officials, including the new city director Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, also attended the event.

The Cebu City officials offered flowers to the monument of Rizal beside the Cebu City Hall.

While in Mandaue City, officials and government workers paid tribute to the national hero through an activity held in front of City Hall on Monday morning.

The tribute started with a mass followed by the floral offering by the city officials, department heads and all the 27 barangay captains in Mandaue City at Rizal's monument at the Rizal-Bonifacio Memorial Stage and Library.

Selected teachers from different public schools in Mandaue City performed “Mga Huling Hudyat” which portrays Rizal's life with traditional dance performances.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes believes Rizal's heroism still has relevance, even at this day and age.

"Yes, para nako mao ni ang legacy of a hero of Rizal is a memory of a good name and inheritance of a good example," said Cortes.

He hopes that Rizal's works and good example will continue to pass down to the next generation.

“Hopefully kini iyang (Rizal) maayong binuhatan ato ning ipadagayday kay nawala na gyud ang mga batan-on karon lahi na gyud ang sense of priorities,” said Cortes. (JJL/KFD)

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